Dispensing container

ABSTRACT

A container having an inner cylindrical wall, a stationary radial partition, a rotatable cover for the container and a spatula, secured thereto and extending within the container, whereby rotation of the cover will discharge the contents of the container through an orifice in the cover. In accordance with one embodiment, the container is used for toothpaste and the cover has an upstanding hook-shaped member facing the cover orifice for receiving the head of a toothbrush which is used for rotating the cover with the bristles directed towards the orifice directly receiving the toothpaste issuing from the orifice. The container has preferably a central compartment for storing the tooth brush. In accordance with another embodiment, the container is formed with two coaxial compartments and two separate spatulas depend from the cover and are in respective slidable contact with the walls of the respective compartment to simultaneously discharge two different products in proportionate amounts, such as a polymerizable material and a catalyst therefor.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Maurice Coulombe 4296 Place Charles Be'dard, Charlesbourg; Yvon Bureau, 1335 St. Henri St., Quebec, Canada [21] AppLNo. 744,425 [22] Filed July 12,1968 [45] Patented Feb. 16, 1971 [54] DISPENSING CONTAINER 6 Claims, 28 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C1. ZZZ/130,- 222/135; 222/386; 222/516 [51] Int. Cl ..B65d 25/38 [50] FieldofSearch 222/139, l40,l30,386,390,513,516

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,606 11/1906 Frimand 222/390 2,106,629 1/1938 Cox 222/386 2,500,687 3/1950 Kampetal 222/386X 2,636,649 4/1953 Corriveau 222/516 2,656,953 10/1953 Rich 222/386X 2,926,818 3/1960 Spero.... 222/390X 3,220,615 11/1965 Spatz 222/386X FOREIGN PATENTS 547,411 10/1957 Canada 511,748 8/1939 GreatBritain Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner- Frederick R. Handren Attorney-Pierre Lesperance ABSTRACT: A container having an inner cylindrical wall, a stationary radial partition, a rotatable cover for the container and a spatula, secured thereto and extending within the container, whereby rotation of the cover will discharge the contents of the container through an orifice in the cover. In accordance with one embodiment, the container is used for toothpaste and the cover has an upstanding hook-shaped member facing the cover orifice for receiving the head of a toothbrush which is used for rotating the cover with the bris- PATENTEB m] 6 mi 3.563414 .snsznnrq mvmvrons Yvon BUREAU I Maurice Col/l. OM85 AGENT P'ATENTED IFEBI 6 I97! sum 2 OF 4 IN VENTORS L I MVM III I] II IL [I II Ii MN. l i l H v m, BUREAU 16 Maurice COULOMBE B7 6%; IE/w V PATENTEU FEB] s 1971 SHEET 3 OF 4 IN VE N TOPS Maurice (OI/L OMBF QM flaw/W Aei/vr 2 Yvon BUREAU PATENTEDQFEms-mn 355 3 sum u 0F 4 5" mm/ Tops o BUREAU Maurice (OUZOMBE m WAGDVT DISPENSING CONTAINER This invention concerns a dispensing container for the discharge of toothpaste, beauty cream, lotion and the like and any other material in liquid, in paste or viscous state, such as glue or the like.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a container of the character described, in which the entire content thereof can be discharged without therefore incurring any loss.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a container of the character described, which does not need removal of a cover to use the same.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a container of the character described, in which marks on the container can be used to indicate the amount of material already spent.

Another object of the present invention resides in a dispensing container for toothpaste, which can be easily operated by use of a toothbrush.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a container of the character described, for use as a toothpaste container, and having means to insert the toothbrush therein, whereby the toothpaste and toothbrush can be carried as a single unit.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a container of the character described, which can be provided with two or more chambers and corresponding spatula means so that rotation of the cover will eject two or more different materials in a constant proportion, whereby such containers may be used, for instance to dispense proportionate amounts of a polymerizable resin and a catalyst.

Other objects of the present invention will become more ap parent during the following disclosure and by referring to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a cap for a toothpaste dispensing container;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the toothpaste dispensing container;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container cover showing the same operated by a toothbrush;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the cover and showing the spatula secured thereto;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section, on an enlarged scale, of the cover of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of the container receptacle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial elevation, partially cut away, of the top portion of the receptacle of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section, on an enlarged scale, of the cover of the first embodiment in the zone of the discharge opening;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the cover taken along line 99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container receptacle;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the operation of the first embodiment; i l

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the cover, similar to that of FIG. 9 but showing another embodiment of the spatula and partition arrangement, said section being taken along line 12-12 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the receptacle of the second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the operation of the combined partition wall and spatula of the second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross section of the cover of the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section of the container receptacle of the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the combined partition and spatula arrangement of the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross section of a container in accordance with a third embodiment, taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 19 is a cross section of the external cover part of the embodiment of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross section of the internal cover part of the embodiment of FIG. 18, taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the container receptacle of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the inner cover part of the third embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic top plan view showing the operation of the third embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a fourth embodiment of a multicompartment jar, the operation of which is similar to the third embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a plan cross section of the container receptacle and spatula of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal section of a fifth embodiment used as a combined toothpaste and toothbrush container;

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the embodiment of FIG 26 showing the operation thereof; and

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the cover of the container of FIG. 26 showing how the same is rotated by means of a toothbrush.

In the drawings, like reference characters indicate like elements throughout.

The containers of the present invention may be inexpensive ly and quickly made of molded parts of synthetic resin.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, which is more particularly designed for use as :a toothpaste dispenser, reference numeral 1 indicates a receptacle for the toothpaste, of generally cylindrical shape, having an inner cylindrical wall 2, a bottom wall 3 and open at the top.

A center cylindrical post 4 is secured to the bottom 3 and extends to the top edge of receptacle 1.

A partition 5, shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11, extends substantially radially of the receptacle between wall 2 and post 4 and is fixed to these elements, said partition 5 extending from the bottom 3 to the top edge of the container. Partition 5 may have a zigzag cross section, as shown and is preferably integrally connected to bottom 3, post 4 and wall 2.

The top edge of receptacle 1 is surrounded by an integral collar 6 defining a bottom shoulder 7 and integrally molded upwardly extending ratchet teeth 8.

Receptacle 1 is provided with a cover 9 rotatably mounted thereon. Said cover is shown in FIGS. 12 and 4, has a skirt 10 with a lower radially inwardly extending flange 11 adapted to slidably engage shoulder 7 and to retain the cover 9 on the container 1. Moreover, skirt 10 has pawl teeth 12 for engaging the ratchet teeth 8 of the container 1.

A spatula 13, in the form of an elongated strip, is rigidly secured to the underside of the cover being preferably integral therewith. Said spatula 13 may have a zigzag cross section, as shown in FIG. 9, adapted to fit the partition 5 when the two are in contact, as shown in FIG. 11. Spatula I3 is in sliding contact with the inner cylindrical wall 2 and with the post 4, together with the bottom wall 3, when the cover is fitted on the container. V I

The cover 9 has a discharge opening; 14 located preferably just ahead of the spatula relative to the direction of rotation of the cover, as shown in FIG. 11.

Discharge opening 14 may be closed with a conventional resilient closure 15 attached to the spout 16 by a connecting strip 17.

The top of the cover 9 has preferably an integral upstanding hook-shaped member 18, facing spout l6 and adapted to receive and engage the operative end of a conventional toothbrush A, as seen in FIG. 3, whereby the toothbrush itself may be used for rotating the cover with respect to the container and with the bristles B of the toothbrush directed towards and in the zone of the discharge opening 14.

The dispensing device may be further provided with a cap 19, is so desired, shown in FIG. 1, adapted to fit over cover 9 and which may also be fitted to the bottom wall 3, as shown in FIG. 2 in dotted lines.

When the container 1 is filled with a paste, such as toothpaste C, the spatula 13 and partition 5 are in a position in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 11.

Rotation of the cover 9 with respect to container 1 in the direction of arrow causes compression of the contents C and the ejection thereof through the discharge opening 14, which is ahead of the spatula 13.

Cover 9 cannot be rotated in the opposite direction due to the interengagement of the ratchet and pawl teeth 8 and 12 respectively. The cover 9 may be rotated by thetooth brush A engaging hook 18, so that the toothpaste C will be discharged directly on the toothbrush bristles B.

After the spatula has accomplished a full rotation, it will gain abut the partition 5 and, in this condition all of the container contents will have been discharged from the container.

If desired, an arrow 22 may be marked on the cover 9 of in to cooperate with graduations 23 marked on receptacle 1, so as to indicate the amount of paste left in the container.

FIGS. 12 to 17 show a second embodiment of a dispensing device, more particularly for toothpaste. It differs from the first embodiment inasmuch as there is no center post in the receptacle 1' and in the arrangement of the partition and spatula.

An elongated flexible strip 25, made of a synthetic resin, has a flexible fold 26, along substantially its middle portion, this fold defining a partition part 27 and a spatula part 28 on each side thereof.

The external edge of partition part 27 has a rib 29 slidably engageable in a groove formed by inturned flanges 30 integrally protruding from the inner cylindrical wall 2' of recep tacle l. v

The external edge of spatula part 28 is adapted to be held in sliding contact with cylindrical wall 2' and said spatula part 28 has a longitudinal bore 32, for receiving a driving member 33 secured to, or integral with, the bottom of cover 9'. Preferably, the partition part 27 and spatula part 28 are initially held in contact, when the container is full, by means of a longitudinal rib 34 on the spatulapart engaging a longitudinal groove 35 made in the partition part 27, so as to maintain the two parts together against the resiliency of the fold 26.

Preferably, a radial groove 36 is made in the bottom wall 3 for receiving the bottom edge of partition part 27 and hold the same in stationary position with respect to receptacle 1'. Therefore, the bottom edge of the spatula part 28 is at a higher level so as to be in sliding contact with the bottom wall 3, this difference in level being indicated by letters a, a in FIGS. 16 and 17.

Cover 9' is otherwise provided with a skirt l0, flange 11, pawl teeth 12', discharge opening 14', closure 15', spout I6, connecting strip 17', and toothbrush engaging hook 18, as in the first embodiment. The receptacle in turn has a collar 6', shoulder 7 and ratchet teeth 8 for retaining the cover 9' on receptacle 1' and for preventing rotation of the cover in a direction inverse to the direction of discharge of the contents C.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the combined partition and spatula are removable from the container and there is no need for a center post. The second embodiment is otherwise operated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Rib 34 engaging groove 35 prevents initial discharge of the contents C without exerting a rotating force on the cover 9' with respect to the container 1'. Thereafter, the resiliency of fold 26 will be insufficient to cause undue discharge of the contents.

FIGS. 18 to 23 show a third embodiment of the invention in Q the form of a jar embodying the principle of the invention.

A receptacle 40 has an inner cylindrical wall 41, a bottom wall 42 and is open at the top. The bottom wall has an integral center post 43 having an external cylindrical shape.

A partition 44 extends between post 43 and wall 41 and is secured to these parts (seeFIG. 21).

An inner cover 45 fits on top of receptacle 40 and is rotatably mounted thereon and located with respect there to by means of center collar 46 and outer collar 47 engaging the center post 43 and inside wall respectively.

The inner cover 45 has an integral depending spatula 47, which may be of hollow construction and of triangular shape and line with more resilient material 48, in slidable contact with the inside wall 41 and with the post 43.

Just ahead of the spatula and of its lining, the inner cover has a top discharge opening 49. Inner cover 45 has at its periphery pawl teeth 50 engageable with ratchet teeth 51 made at the periphery of receptacle 40 to allow rotation of the inner cover with respect to the receptacle in only one direction.

An outer cover 52 is mounted on top of the inner cover 45. This cover has a central recess 53 receiving a central bushing 54 upstanding from inner cover 45, to center the outer cover, and the latter has a skirt 55 with an inturned flange 56 slidably engaging a peripheral shoulder 57 made around receptacle 40, so that the assembly of the two covers will be rotatably retained on the receptacle 40.

The outer cover 52 has a recess 58, of somewhat spherical shape in the center of which is located a discharge opening 59. The underside of outer cover 52 and the top side of inner cover 45 form registering arcuate grooves 60 and 61 respectively for receiving a compression coil 62, which abuts at its two ends against the ends of the grooves 60 and 61 respectively.

Radial abutment members 63 and 64 depend from the underside of outer cover 52 and the upper side of inner cover 45 respectively and are adapted to engage each other.

The operation of the container in accordance with this embodiment is as follows:

As shown in FIG. 23, when the outer cover is released, spring 62 maintains the inner and outer covers in such a position that the discharge orifices 49 and 59 are out of alignment. Upon rotation of outer cover 52 in the direction of arrow 65, while maintaining receptacle 40 stationary will cause outer cover discharge opening 59 to align itself with inner cover discharge opening 49, at which point the two abutments 63, 64 come in contact, and furtherrotation of the outer cover will cause rotation of the inner cover and, consequently, rotation of the spatula 47 which will discharge the contents C through the aligned orifices 49, 59.

Upon release of the outer cover, the inner cover remains in its rotated position, due to the action of the pawl and ratchet teeth 50, 51; but the outer cover will make a reverse rotation under the action of the now compressed spring 62 to thereby again cause disalignment of the two openings 49 and 59, thus automatically sealing the contents of the jar.

FIG. 23 shows spring 62 occupying space A-B when released and A when compressed; B indicates the movement of the end of outer cover groove 60 during initial outer cover rotation.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 18 to 23. The only difference between these two embodiments resides in the fact that receptacle 40' is separated in two compartments by a cylindrical coaxial partition 66. The resulting inner and outer compartments 67 and 68 respectively are adapted to receive different materials D, D which are eventually discharged through radially spaced orifices 69 of the top cover 70, said orifices disposed within a recess 71 made in the top face of said outer cover, whereby the two materials D and D can be mixed within said recess 71.

This jar may be used, for instance, to discharge a polymerizable material and a catalyst in exactly proportionate amounts and the two ingredients can be mixed in the recess 71. The jar is otherwise constructed in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, except that there are two separate spatulas and their linings 72, 73 depending from the inner cover 74, and that inner cover 74 is provided with two discharge orifices ahead of the respective spatula 72, 73 and adapted to register with the respective outer cover discharge orifices 69.

The container has the usual radial partition 75.

low post 78 upstanding from the bottom 79 of the container 76. The cover 77 has a pawl and ratchet system 80 at its periphery to prevent back rotation of the cover with respect to the container.

The cover 77 has a discharge orifice 81 just ahead of its spatula 82 with respect to the direction of the cover.

A stationary radially extending wall or partition 83 is secured to the center hollow post 78 and the cylindrical wall of container 76.

Hook means 85 are mounted on the cover for receiving the head of a toothbrush A in order to facilitate rotation of the over with respect to the receptacle;

After use, the toothbrush may be stored in the hollow post 78 and a cap 84 fitted on top of the cover 77 to keep the brush and toothpaste container in sanitary condition.

We claim:

l. A dispensing container comprising a receptacle open at one end having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said wall, a hollow central post upstanding from said bottom wall and open at is top to serve as a receptacle, said central post fixed to said wall portion, a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and closing the same, a spatula carried by said cover extending within said receptacle radially thereof and slidably engaging said inner wall and said central post, said coverhaving a discharge opening for the material compressed between said spatula and said wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle. I

2. A dispensing container comprising a receptacle open at one end having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a central post upstanding from said'bottom wall, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said inner wall secured thereto, to said central post and-to said bottom, said receptacle having an annular partition coaxial with said cylindrical inner wall to form two coaxial compartments, namely: an outer compartment defined by said annular partition and said cylindrical inner wall and an inner compartment define by said annular partition and said central post, a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and closing the same, separate spatulas secured to and depending from said cover and extending within said receptacle radially thereof in respective slidablecontact with the walls of the respective compartments, said cover having a pair of discharge openings in register with the respective compartments for the material compressed between the respective spatulas and said wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle.

3. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 2, further including a second cover fitted over said first named cover and having a pair of discharge orifices adapted to be in register with the respective discharge openings of said first named cover in one position of said second cover respective to said first name cover, spring means between said first and second covers normally maintaining their respective discharge openings and discharge orifices out of alignment, interengageable abutment means depending from said first and second covers and located such that, when said abutment means are in contact, said respective discharge openings and discharge orifices will be in register, whereby rotation of said second cover will first cause registering of said openings and orifices and mutual contact of said abutment means and further rotation of said second cover will cause rotation of of said first cover and consequent rotation of said spatulas within said container to discharge the contents thereof through the aligned openings and orifices, release of said outer cover resulting in the back rotation thereof and misalignment of said discharge openings and discharge orifices under the action of said compression spring;

4. A dispensing con mer comprising a receptacle open at one end, having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a central post upstanding from said bottom, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said cylindrical inner wall secured thereto, to said bottom and to said post a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and lclosing the same, a spatula carried by said cover extending within said receptacle radially thereof and slidably engaging said cylindrical inner wall, said bottom and said post, said cover having a discharge opening for the material compressed between said spatula and wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle, said cover having a hook-shaped member upstanding from the top thereof and facing said discharge opening for receiving the head of a toothbrush with the bristles of the latter directed toward and in the zone of said discharge opening, whereby the toothbrush can be used for rotating said cover, its bristles directly receiving the material issuing from said discharge opening.

5. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said central post is hollow and open at its top to serve as a receptacle for receiving a toothbrush when not in use.

6. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 4, further including pawl and ratchet means between said cover and receptacle to allow rotation of said cover in only one direction with respect to said receptacle. 

1. A dispensing container comprising a receptacle open at one end having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said wall, a hollow central post upstanding from said bottom wall and open at is top to serve as a receptacle, said central post fixed to said wall portion, a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and closing the same, a spatula carried by said cover extending within said receptacle radially thereof and slidably engaging said inner wall and said central post, said cover having a discharge opening for the material compressed between said spatula and said wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle.
 2. A dispensing container comprising a receptacle open at one end having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a central post upstanding from said bottom wall, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said inner wall secured thereto, to said central post and to said bottom, said receptacle having an annular partition coaxial with said cylindrical inner wall to form two coaxial compartments, namely: an outer compartment defined by said annular partition and said cylindrical inner wall and an inner compartment define by said annular partition and said central post, a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and closing the same, separate spatulas secuRed to and depending from said cover and extending within said receptacle radially thereof in respective slidable contact with the walls of the respective compartments, said cover having a pair of discharge openings in register with the respective compartments for the material compressed between the respective spatulas and said wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle.
 3. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 2, further including a second cover fitted over said first named cover and having a pair of discharge orifices adapted to be in register with the respective discharge openings of said first named cover in one position of said second cover respective to said first name cover, spring means between said first and second covers normally maintaining their respective discharge openings and discharge orifices out of alignment, interengageable abutment means depending from said first and second covers and located such that, when said abutment means are in contact, said respective discharge openings and discharge orifices will be in register, whereby rotation of said second cover will first cause registering of said openings and orifices and mutual contact of said abutment means and further rotation of said second cover will cause rotation of of said first cover and consequent rotation of said spatulas within said container to discharge the contents thereof through the aligned openings and orifices, release of said outer cover resulting in the back rotation thereof and misalignment of said discharge openings and discharge orifices under the action of said compression spring.
 4. A dispensing container comprising a receptacle open at one end, having a bottom and a cylindrical inner wall, a central post upstanding from said bottom, a wall portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said cylindrical inner wall secured thereto, to said bottom and to said post a cover rotatably mounted on said receptacle open end and closing the same, a spatula carried by said cover extending within said receptacle radially thereof and slidably engaging said cylindrical inner wall, said bottom and said post, said cover having a discharge opening for the material compressed between said spatula and wall portion during rotation of said cover with respect to said receptacle, said cover having a hook-shaped member upstanding from the top thereof and facing said discharge opening for receiving the head of a toothbrush with the bristles of the latter directed toward and in the zone of said discharge opening, whereby the toothbrush can be used for rotating said cover, its bristles directly receiving the material issuing from said discharge opening.
 5. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said central post is hollow and open at its top to serve as a receptacle for receiving a toothbrush when not in use.
 6. A dispensing container as claimed in claim 4, further including pawl and ratchet means between said cover and receptacle to allow rotation of said cover in only one direction with respect to said receptacle. 